Bradford City 2 Sheffield United 0: Hands off Wells, say City after record is broken

John McCole headed for Leeds United in 1959 after scoring in seven successive matches and David ‘Bronco’ Lane followed suit when he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 1962 after matching the feat.

Bermudan striker Wells created a new club record when he went one better on Saturday, scoring a brace to take his tally to 10 in eight consecutive games.

With the transfer window open for another week, Wells is bound to be considered a target after his exploits, with both Leeds and Huddersfield Town having shown plenty of interest without putting in a firm or realistic bid.

Although they refused interviews with Wells, Steve Parkin, No 2 to Phil Parkinson at the Bantams, moved to quash speculation when he said: “There were a few bids weeks and weeks ago but, as far as we are concerned, Nahki Wells is not leaving Bradford City.

“People have had more than 12 months to come and sign him and not bothered so we are not going to sell him a week before the deadline.

“Both chairmen have been really supportive of me and Phil while we have been here. They have let us build a squad which was certainly capable of getting promoted last season and which can hopefully compete this season. The key thing is that you don’t sell your best players if you want success. So, as far as we are concerned, it’s a no-go area.”

Those comments were greeted with relief by Wells’s strike partner, James Hanson, who said: “He is a pleasure to play with and sometimes he makes my assists look so easy. For the second goal, I knew as I headed it that it’s a goal and he just makes everyone around him look better, he’s playing that well.

“The gaffer keeps us on our toes and both our games are progressing. I’m delighted the club have said they are keeping him because he is a big part of my game as we have a great understanding.

“I don’t mind taking the heavy challenges as long as one of us is scoring and I am delighted that he has started the season on fire.”

On the game itself, the towering target man continued: “Sheffield are still a very good side but we have made a statement today that we are definitely capable of being up there.

“It was a great game to play in, a full house with tackles flying in and I think we deserved it in the end.

“The gaffer said before the game that this time last year we were getting ready for Wimbledon at home and now we have a full house and a Yorkshire derby.

“We are quietly confident that we can be in the top six and today’s result has probably made people sit up and take notice.”

The former Guiseley frontman added: “To play in League One is a great feeling and to know that I can do it is even better and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.

“The gaffer signed a lot of players last summer and they all knew they were capable of playing in League One and maybe that is what he was building for.”

While the momentum is clearly with Bradford after their promotion exploits of last season going hand in hand with reaching the League Cup final, things appear to be stalling at Bramall Lane.

Patience will be the key word as new manager David Weir develops what is essentially a young squad allied to the likes of captain Michael Doyle, Neill Collins and Tony McMahon.

There is plenty of potential in the Blades’ ranks and it is hoped the £750,000 sale of Kevin McDonald to Wolves will enable them to resist any overtures for England Under-21 duo goalkeeper George Long and central defender Harry Maguire, who were chiefly responsible for keeping Bradford at bay on Saturday.

Though Bradford fully merited the three points, it was certainly a full-blooded cut-and-thrust affair for the 18,000 crowd, including around 2,700 from Bramall Lane.

Blades chief Weir commented: “I’m disappointed to lose such a tight end-to-end game but the first goal was always going to be important and a bit of quality at the top end got it for them.

“We were bright and we did open them up and had opportunities to score but we didn’t and that is what you are judged on.

“To be fair to the boys, they did the right things and kept knocking at the door but we lost the game and are really disappointed. We need to get in the winning habit and in the position where that is the expected thing to do.

“There are areas of improvement everywhere. We want to question ourselves as individuals, as units in a team and as a team – that includes everyone.”

His side had the first opportunity to score when Lyle Taylor released Jamie Murphy down the middle but goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin’s outstretched leg diverted the ball wide.

James Meredith then got behind the Blades defence and cut the ball back for an instinctive first-timer from Wells which Long did well to parry.

Febian Brandy twice cut through only to be denied by McLaughlin and a last-ditch tackle from Rory McArdle but the livewire had to be replaced shortly after the break with hamstring trouble.

Bradford had gone ahead just before the interval when Wells easily turned Collins and beat Long at the third time of asking with a drilled, low shot from the right of the area.

Substitutes Ryan Flynn and Joe Ironside gave the Blades impetus but the closest they came was when a shot from Flynn deflected off Stephen Darby and McLaughlin tipped the ball over the bar.

City, resolute at the back and always menacing on the break, wrapped up the points when Wells somewhat scuffed the ball home late on after Long had parried Raffaele De Vita’s shot and Hanson had won the ensuing header for his strike partner.

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